3 hours ago
Overview
I'm proposing a hybrid storage solution that combines cost-effective LTO tape storage with fast local caching, specifically designed for large media libraries while maintaining acceptable user experience.
Problem Statement
As media libraries grow to thousands of movies and TV shows, traditional HDD storage becomes prohibitively expensive. LTO tapes offer incredible cost-per-TB advantages (10x cheaper than HDDs) but are impractical for direct streaming due to slow access times.
Proposed Solution
A smart caching system that leverages Jellyfin's existing cinema mode/pre-roll period to pre-fetch content from LTO to local cache.
How It Would Work
Architecture:
User Clicks Play → Cinema Mode Starts → Parallel LTO Pre-fetch → Seamless Streaming
(Metadata) (3-5 minutes buffer) (Background copy) (From local cache)
Components:
1. Metadata Database - Stored on fast HDD/SSD (posters, descriptions, etc.)
2. LTO Tape Library - Bulk storage for media files
3. Cache System - SSD/HDD cache for active streaming
4. Pre-fetch Engine - Automated background copying during cinema mode
Technical Implementation Ideas
1. Plugin-based Approach
- New library type "Tape Archive"
- Custom storage provider with cache management
- Background job scheduler for pre-fetching
2. Filesystem Integration
- FUSE filesystem that transparently manages LTO + cache
- LTFS integration for tape access
3. Cache Strategies
- Pre-fetch during cinema mode/pre-rolls
- Predictive caching based on user watchlists
- LRU cache eviction policies
User Experience Flow
1. Browse: Instant access to all metadata (as current)
2. Play: User clicks play → cinema mode starts
3. Background: System automatically copies from LTO to cache
4. Stream: After pre-rolls, movie streams from local cache
5. Cleanup: Cache management based on storage policies
Benefits
- Cost Savings: 80-90% reduction in storage costs for large libraries
- Scalability: Support for 10,000+ media items practical
- User Experience: Minimal disruption (hidden loading during pre-rolls)
- Power Efficiency: LTO tapes consume zero power when idle
Use Cases
- Large Personal Libraries (1000+ movies)
- Media Archives (raw footage, historical content)
- Data Hoarders with massive collections
- Institutions with budget constraints
Challenges & Considerations
1. Multiple User Access - Queue system for concurrent requests
2. Tape Management - Automated library support vs manual swapping
3. Cache Sizing - Smart cache allocation strategies
4. Failure Handling - Graceful degradation when pre-fetch fails
Community Interest Gauge
I'm seeking:
- Other users who need this feature
- Developer feedback on implementation feasibility
- Alternative approaches or existing solutions
- Potential collaborators for plugin development
Questions for the Community
1. Has anyone implemented similar LTO integration?
2. Are there developers interested in collaborating on this?
3. What would be the preferred technical approach?
4. Are there existing storage plugins that could be extended?
Technical Requirements
- LTO drive with LTFS support
- Moderate cache storage (500GB-2TB SSD/HDD)
- Tape library (manual or automated)
This would make Jellyfin the ultimate media solution for massive collections while maintaining the cost benefits of tape storage. The 3-5 minute pre-roll period provides the perfect "buffer time" for tape access without impacting user experience.
I'm proposing a hybrid storage solution that combines cost-effective LTO tape storage with fast local caching, specifically designed for large media libraries while maintaining acceptable user experience.
Problem Statement
As media libraries grow to thousands of movies and TV shows, traditional HDD storage becomes prohibitively expensive. LTO tapes offer incredible cost-per-TB advantages (10x cheaper than HDDs) but are impractical for direct streaming due to slow access times.
Proposed Solution
A smart caching system that leverages Jellyfin's existing cinema mode/pre-roll period to pre-fetch content from LTO to local cache.
How It Would Work
Architecture:
User Clicks Play → Cinema Mode Starts → Parallel LTO Pre-fetch → Seamless Streaming
(Metadata) (3-5 minutes buffer) (Background copy) (From local cache)
Components:
1. Metadata Database - Stored on fast HDD/SSD (posters, descriptions, etc.)
2. LTO Tape Library - Bulk storage for media files
3. Cache System - SSD/HDD cache for active streaming
4. Pre-fetch Engine - Automated background copying during cinema mode
Technical Implementation Ideas
1. Plugin-based Approach
- New library type "Tape Archive"
- Custom storage provider with cache management
- Background job scheduler for pre-fetching
2. Filesystem Integration
- FUSE filesystem that transparently manages LTO + cache
- LTFS integration for tape access
3. Cache Strategies
- Pre-fetch during cinema mode/pre-rolls
- Predictive caching based on user watchlists
- LRU cache eviction policies
User Experience Flow
1. Browse: Instant access to all metadata (as current)
2. Play: User clicks play → cinema mode starts
3. Background: System automatically copies from LTO to cache
4. Stream: After pre-rolls, movie streams from local cache
5. Cleanup: Cache management based on storage policies
Benefits
- Cost Savings: 80-90% reduction in storage costs for large libraries
- Scalability: Support for 10,000+ media items practical
- User Experience: Minimal disruption (hidden loading during pre-rolls)
- Power Efficiency: LTO tapes consume zero power when idle
Use Cases
- Large Personal Libraries (1000+ movies)
- Media Archives (raw footage, historical content)
- Data Hoarders with massive collections
- Institutions with budget constraints
Challenges & Considerations
1. Multiple User Access - Queue system for concurrent requests
2. Tape Management - Automated library support vs manual swapping
3. Cache Sizing - Smart cache allocation strategies
4. Failure Handling - Graceful degradation when pre-fetch fails
Community Interest Gauge
I'm seeking:
- Other users who need this feature
- Developer feedback on implementation feasibility
- Alternative approaches or existing solutions
- Potential collaborators for plugin development
Questions for the Community
1. Has anyone implemented similar LTO integration?
2. Are there developers interested in collaborating on this?
3. What would be the preferred technical approach?
4. Are there existing storage plugins that could be extended?
Technical Requirements
- LTO drive with LTFS support
- Moderate cache storage (500GB-2TB SSD/HDD)
- Tape library (manual or automated)
This would make Jellyfin the ultimate media solution for massive collections while maintaining the cost benefits of tape storage. The 3-5 minute pre-roll period provides the perfect "buffer time" for tape access without impacting user experience.